Former AFL Star, Troy Wilson, has joined the action-packed line-up of the 2013 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by ARMOR ALL at Mount Panorama this weekend. The former West Coast Eagle enjoyed his first outing in a V8 Ute in practice today (Thursday, 9th October), with Ford driver David Sieders topping the time sheets of the combined sessions.
Sieders was fastest in both sessions, pipping rookie teammate Elliot Barbour by 2/10ths of a second, and is hoping for a repeat tomorrow in qualifying to reclaim his Bathurst ARMOR ALL Pole Award title. The Blue Mountains based driver currently holds the lap record and is looking forward to hitting the track.
“It feels good to be on top of the time sheet, although I was on top last round and ended up 6th in Qualifying, but the car feels quick out of the box so we’ll see how we go. I’m not too sure if we’ll get to touch it (the lap record) this year, we’ll see more when we bolt tyres on for Qualifying. The track was good for us in the last session, there wasn’t too much more we could do and we’re still 2 seconds away at the moment, I don’t think the new tyres will give us that much speed,” said Sieders.
Barbour was second fastest ahead of Rentco Racing’s Kris Walton. Nathan Pretty was hot on his tail in fourth, the first Holden over the line. The two have almost been inseparable since their recent altercation at Sandown Raceway, when they came head-to-head in Parc Ferme following a fair bit of on track paint swapping. Pretty is not only going for the ENZED Driver’s Championship, (11 points behind Series leader Harris), but the title of the first driver to win 3 rounds back-to-back and knows it won’t be easy.
“Yes I do expect some close racing from Walton this weekend, although he has the suspended points penalty hanging over him. (Walton will lose 35 championship points if he makes contact with anyone and deemed to be at fault), I think we just have to give each other some more respect, and we can have a good race for the crowd and TV. I’m looking forward to throwing some good boots at it tomorrow, I’m feeling like the Fords have it on us at the moment, but I’m going to throw a rag at it in Qualifying and see how we go,” said Pretty.
Two-time Bathurst podium winner Gary MacDonald was 5th fastest overall, ahead of Ryan Hansford, who was forced into Pit Lane with a mechanical Black Flag in the first session due to a fuel leak.
2012 Bathurst 1000 competitor and winner of the 2012 Shannon’s Supercar Showdown, Jesse Dixon, had a great drive to finish in 6th ahead of 2010 Bathurst 1000 competitor Andrew Fisher (Jesus Racing). “The Assassin” Kim Jane has recruited a new partner this weekend with Adecco to help him celebrate his 250 race starts on Saturday, the veteran came home 8th in front of Rhys McNally (4th in the ENZED Drivers Championship) and Craig Dontas rounded out the top ten in his Thirsty Camel Holden.
Series leader Ryal Harris was well out of the top 5, placing 12th in the combined sessions, although didn’t finish Practice session 2 due to a likely failed wheel bearing.
Troy Wilson did a great job to come home in 27th, and became the third Wilson on track this weekend (no relation to brothers Benn and Cam).
“It was awesome, totally different animal to what I’ve driven before, the brakes are the hardest thing to get my head around, I can’t brake hard as they lock up too easy, and the biggest thing is learning the track again. It’s the first time I’ve driven all year but I’ve been improving every lap so hopefully by the second race I’ll have my head around everything,” said the former AFL star.
Benn Wilson stepped in last minute to replace NRL stalwart Jack Elsegood in #11 backed P.I. Technical Services Ford. The Gold Coaster had his first outing here in the 2003 V8 BRutes Legends event, at the Bathurst 24 hour alongside Brother Cam.
The drivers will hit the track at 5:15pm tomorrow for their Qualifying session. See below remaining schedule for the weekend: Friday, 11th October Qualifying 4:30pmSaturday, 12th October Race 1 9:30amSaturday, 12th October Race 2 2:10pmSunday, 13th October Race 3 8:00am
Race 2 and Race 3 will be televised Live on Network Seven as part of the Bathurst 1000 program.
